Traffic Citation FAQ

A TRAFFIC CITATION...

What can you do?

What will happen?

The information on this page does not apply to operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or criminal traffic violations.

FOR NON-MANDATORY APPEARANCES ONLY!

Traffic Citations

I just want to pay my fine: What should I do?

If your citation does not indicate a "Mandatory Appearance", you do not have to appear in court if you pay the fine amount as shown on your citation at least three (3) business days prior to your court date. The fine may be paid in person at the Sheboygan County Courthouse, Clerk of Circuit Courts Office or mailed to:

Sheboygan County Clerk of Circuit Courts Office
615 N. 6th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081-4692
Include a copy of your citation with your check or money order to assure proper handling.

You may also pay using a credit card by calling Government Payment Service, Inc. at 1-888-604-7888. There is a fee for this service.

NOT GUILTY pleas must be written; please see below. You may call the Clerk of Circuit Courts Office at (920) 459-3094 and enter a guilty or no contest plea. The fine will be due 60 days from the date the plea is entered.

I wish to plead NOT GUILTY by mail: How do I do this?

If you wish to plead NOT GUILTY without appearing in court on the date written on your citation, write a letter stating that you plead NOT GUILTY. You must include a copy of your citation, your current mailing address and your phone number. This letter, called a "plea", must be received three (3) business days prior to the court date written on the citation. Mail the plea to:

Sheboygan County Clerk of Circuit Courts Office
615 N. Sixth Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081-4692
You will not hear from the court until after the court date on your citation. At that time you will be mailed a notice for a pretrial conference with the prosecuting agency.

If you send a payment after you have entered a not guilty plea, you will be removed from the trial calendar and found guilty.

If you are making a plea of not guilty and wish to request a jury trial, you must make a demand for a jury trial in writing and pay the necessary fee within 10 days after your initial appearance.

I'm worried about the points to be assessed against my driving record: How do I know if I'm in point trouble?

If you are found guilty of a traffic violation, your driving record may be charged with demerit points. The court will not determine the number of points assessed against your record. The court will merely report the conviction to the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles and the DMV will assess the number of points against your record, depending upon the charge.

The point schedule lists common traffic violations. Other violations, not listed, may also carry points. If you accumulate 12 points against your driving record within a one-year period by the date of violations, your license will be suspended or revoked.

Violation Points Schedule

Speeding Violations

Miles per hour
over the legal
limit

Points

10 or less

3

11-19

4

20 or more

6

Other Violations

Description

Points

Operating under the influence

6

Hit and run unattended vehicle

6

Deviating from a traffic lane

4

Texting or Emailing while driving

4

Driving on wrong side of highway or street

4

Failing to yield right of way

4

Failing to yield to emergency vehicle

4

Imprudent driving, too fast for conditions, failure to have a vehicle under control

4

Inattentive driving

4

Pass school bus with red lights flashing

4

Disregarding official sign

3

Driving wrong way on one way street

3

Failing to dim lights

3

Failing to give proper signal

3

Following too close

3

Illegal passing

3

Improper brakes or lights

3

Operating with expired or no valid license

3

Prohibited or illegal turn

3

Violation of restriction

3

Parking in traffic lane on highway

2

Defective speedometer

2

Unsafe backing

2

Motorcycle Violations

Description

Points

Headlamps not lit (day hours 0 points)

3

No cycle validation

3

More than 2 riders (operator)

2

No eye protection (operator)

2

If you have a probationary license, demerit points are doubled for each conviction after your first.

What will happen when I appear in court on the date of my citation?

The date on your citation is the date of your initial appearance. An initial appearance is your opportunity to enter a plea to the charge. You may enter a plea of GUILTY, NO CONTEST, or NOT GUILTY. The initial appearance is not the trial. If you enter a plea of guilty or no contest, the court will find you guilty and the matter will be resolved at the initial appearance. If you enter a plea of not guilty, your case will be scheduled for a pretrial conference with the prosecuting agency. The court will inform you of your right to a jury trial and that the jury fee must be paid within 10 days.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not appear or enter a plea in writing before the court date on your citation, the court will find you guilty, impose the fine and allow 25 days for payment of the fine. If you fail to pay the fine, your driving privileges will be suspended for two (2) years or until the fine is paid in full and a reinstatement fee is paid.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURTS OFFICE - TRAFFIC DIVISION AT (920) 459-3063.

If you have any questions regarding the payment of your fine, you may contact the Accounting Division at (920) 459-3078.